DE102014102939B4 - Floating splash toy that has a bellows - Google Patents

Abstract

A floating splash toy (100) comprising: a housing (106) having a chamber (110) and an opening (114), the opening (114) allowing fluid communication between the chamber (110) and the outside environment, the chamber (110 ) an inner wall (120); a shaft (124) having a first portion within the chamber attached to a piston (116) and a second portion outside the chamber (110) attached to a handle (132) wherein the piston (116) slidably engages the inner wall (120) of the chamber (110) and is adapted to move longitudinally in the chamber (110) so as to reduce the volume of the chamber (110) and to increase that, when immersed in water, the water is drawn in through the opening (114) when the volume increases and expelled through the opening (114) when the volume decreases; on at least a portion of at least one of the housing (106 ) and the handle (132) at least one outer shell (138, 140 ), which provides safety benefits in that it (i) is constructed from a resilient, closed-cell polymer foam material that is substantially soft, and (ii) is constructed so that the at least one outer shell (138, 140) contributes to buoyancy that has the consequence that the floating splash toy (100) remains floating on top when the chamber (110) is completely filled with water; andat least one bellows (160) extending between the housing (106) and the handle (132) and covering the shaft (124), the at least one bellows (160) providing safety benefits by preventing fingers from touching one A child may become entangled, trapped, or injured if the chamber (110) is reduced in volume to expel water from the floating splash toy (100).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application no. 13 / 295,281 , filed on November 14, 2011, is pending, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, which is a continuation of U.S. Application No. 12 / 018,691 , which was filed on January 23, 2008, is now a US patent US 8 123 077 B2 issued February 28, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, which is a continuation in part of US patent application serial number 11 / 860,617 , which was filed on September 25, 2007, is now a US patent US 7 571 837 B2 , issued August 11, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, this application being a continuation of U.S. application no. 10 / 942,326 , which was filed on September 16, 2004, is now a US patent US 7 281 642 B2 , issued October 16, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, is claimed for priority under 35 USC § 120.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a floating splash toy having a bellows.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

Spray guns are well known in the art in many forms. Over the years, numerous spray guns and spraying tools have been and are being manufactured for use by individuals while swimming in or standing by a swimming pool, which are adapted to quickly receive water from a swimming pool for spraying. One such toy is known as the Water Stix ™ and is sold by Hearthsong Ing. This toy, which is representative of many such spray toys, basically consists of a housing which has a nozzle at its spray end. A plunger having a grippable handle is adapted to slide in the housing so that when the nozzle end of the housing is submerged in the pool and the plunger is pulled backward, water is drawn into the housing through the nozzle. And when the piston is then propelled forward, that water is propelled out of the housing through the nozzle to a target in a powerful jet.

Such a spray gun is from the US patent application US 2011/0159779 A1 known.

In addition, many prior art spray guns are constructed in a manner that traps air, thereby inadvertently allowing these guns to partially float in the water. The degree of such buoyancy is related to the amount of water that has been held in the gun and the longevity of such buoyancy is related to the amount of air leakage from the housing.

More spray guns are from the documents U.S. 3,220,318 A , US 2009/0145930 A1 , US 2012/0018449 A1 and US 574 443S known.

There is also the prior art floating toy "pool noodle" made from a resilient, floating, closed-cell polymer foam. These toys are used to provide buoyancy to the user while swimming. Since these toys are often left floating in the pool when not in use, their softness eliminates the safety threat they would otherwise pose.

Bellows are common from the documents DE 2 255 070 A and DE 26 12 093 A1 known.

Based on the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved splash toy that floats completely on the surface of the water above, regardless of whether it is filled with water or empty and is safe to use.

Another object is to provide a soft squirt toy that is safer than the prior art squirt toys.

Another object is to provide a splash toy that is both buoyant and soft.

It is a further object to provide such a splash toy that has an appearance similar to a "pool noodle".

In a preferred embodiment, the floating splash toy comprises a housing having a chamber, the chamber having a variable volume defined by a first chamber end, a second chamber end and an interior surface, with a hole through the housing adjacent the first chamber end Allows communication between the chamber and the outside environment; a piston that is disposed adjacent the second chamber end, the piston sealingly engaging the chamber interior surface and adapted to move longitudinally in the housing to vary the volume of the chamber; a stem attached to the piston and having a portion extending from the housing, the stem portion extending from the housing having a first handle attached thereto; an outer shell disposed over the housing, the shell creating a water impermeable volume that provides buoyancy sufficient to keep the splash toy floating above the water; and a second handle attached to either the shell or the housing. The toy is adapted to suck water through the hole while the hole is submerged during expansion of the chamber using the handles, and the toy is adapted to expel the water through the hole during contraction of the chamber using the handles . The outer shell can be selected from a transparent, translucent material or a polymer foam. The cross-sectional shape over a substantial portion of the outer shell can be selected from at least one of round, polygonal, elliptical, oval, fanciful animal-like, and any combination of shapes including generally polygonal with rounded sides.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a review of the following specification and drawings of the invention including the preferred embodiment thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a squirt toy which is housed in a shell made of closed-cell polyethylene (PE) foam. The closed-cell shell is non-absorbent, so the foam remains buoyant and keeps the gun floating indefinitely. The foam is soft, so the toy is not a safety hazard if left floating in a swimming pool. In the preferred embodiment, the splash toy consists of a cylindrical housing and a piston which slides therein to force water in and out of the housing via a hole therein. The foam tray of the preferred embodiment is similar in size and shape to a "pool noodle" and is therefore more attractive to children who are familiar with it. The present invention also encompasses a bowl of shapes unlike conventional "pool noodles". What is important is that there is enough material in the shell to provide buoyancy, i.e. the toy floats when filled with water, and that the shell is soft, i.e. not a safety hazard when swimming in the water.

In exemplary embodiments, a floating splash toy may include a housing having a chamber and an opening, wherein the opening can allow fluid communication between the chamber and the outside environment, and the chamber can have an interior wall. Furthermore, the squirt toy may have a shaft which has a first portion inside the chamber which is attached to a piston, and a second portion outside the chamber which is attached to a handle. The piston can be slidably engaged with the inner wall of the chamber and can be adapted to move longitudinally in the chamber to decrease and increase the volume of the chamber so that water is drawn in through the opening as the volume increases and through the Orifice is ejected when the volume decreases. The injection mold can have at least one outer shell on at least one section of the housing and / or the handle, which can provide safety advantages in that (i) it is constructed from a resilient material of closed-cell polymer foam that is essentially soft, and / or ( ii) is constructed in such a way that the at least one outer shell contributes to a buoyancy which has the effect that the floating splash toy remains floating on top when the chamber is completely filled with water. Even further, the splash toy can have at least one bellows which can extend over at least a section of the housing and / or the shaft.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one bellows can provide a safety benefit by preventing children's fingers from becoming entangled, pinched, and / or injured when the chamber is reduced in volume to expel water from the floating splash toy.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one bellows can extend over at least a portion of both the housing and the shaft.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one bellows can extend from a shell on at least a portion of the housing and / or the housing to a shell on at least a portion of the handle.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one outer shell may be made up of a plurality of substantially soft, resilient outer shells made of closed-cell polymer along a length be constructed by at least one of the housing and the handle.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one essentially soft, resilient outer shell can be constructed from closed-cell polymer foam in a cylindrical shape.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one cylindrically shaped, substantially soft, resilient outer shell of closed-cell polymer foam can have a cross-sectional shape that can be round, polygonal, elliptical, oval, and / or any combination of shapes, including generally polygonal with rounded sides.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one essentially soft, resilient outer shell can be constructed from closed-cell polymer foam in the size and / or shape of at least one swimming pool.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one substantially soft, resilient outer shell made of closed-cell polymer foam can be constructed in such a way that it has a length dimension which can be substantially equal to a length of the housing and / or a length of the handle.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one essentially soft, resilient outer shell made of closed-cell polymer foam can be constructed in such a way that it has a length dimension that is essentially less than a length of the housing and / or a length of the handle.

In exemplary embodiments, a floating splash toy may have a housing having a chamber, the housing having an inner surface and an outer surface, a first end having an opening and a second end having an opening. The squirt toy may further include a piston slidably engaged with the inner surface of the housing and connected to a shaft. The shaft can extend from the second end of the housing and can have a handle portion external to the housing. The piston can be adapted to move longitudinally in the chamber to decrease and increase the volume of the chamber so that water is drawn in through the first end when the volume increases and expelled through the first end when the volume decreases. A soft, non-water absorbent shell can be disposed over a portion of the exterior surface of the housing. Even further, the floating splash toy can have at least one bellows which is arranged over at least a section of the housing and / or the shaft.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one bellows can provide safety benefits by substantially preventing children's fingers from becoming entangled, pinched, and / or injured when the chamber is reduced in volume to expel water from the floating splash toy.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one bellows can be disposed over at least a portion of both the housing and the shaft.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one bellows may extend from the soft, non-water-absorbent shell disposed over a portion of the housing to the handle.

In exemplary embodiments, the soft, non-water absorbent shell can provide buoyancy to keep the toy floating on top in the water when the housing is filled with water to its maximum capacity; may form a protective surface over at least a portion of the housing; and / or the softness of the shell can offer safety benefits.

In exemplary embodiments, the soft, non-water-absorbent shell can be disposed over substantially the entirety of the housing.

In exemplary embodiments, a soft, non-water absorbent shell can be disposed over a portion of the handle portion.

In exemplary embodiments, the safety benefits may include softness and / or the absence of hard edges.

The invention will be better understood from a review of the following description and drawings of preferred embodiments of the invention.

Figure list

• 1 Fig. 13 is an action view of a splash toy showing how water is expelled therefrom;
• 2 FIG. 11 is a sectional view through the toy of FIG 1 in its retracted / empty state;
• 3 FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial section of the toy of FIG 1 ;
• 4th FIG. 13 is an action sectional view showing the suction of water into the toy of FIG 1 shows;
• 5 FIG. 13 is an action sectional view showing the expulsion of water from the toy of FIG 1 shows;
• 6th Fig. 3 is a side perspective view of a splash toy;
• 7th Fig. 3 is a side perspective view of a splash toy;
• 8th Fig. 3 is a side perspective view of a splash toy;
• 9 is a side elevational view of the splash toy of FIG 8th Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a tubular housing containing a piston 116 contains, and a handle portion 132 that is a distance from the shell 138 is separated shows;
• 10 Figure 4 is a side perspective view of embodiments of the splash toy of the present invention;
• 11 - 12th are expanded and collapsed configurations of embodiments of the squirt toy of the present invention; and
• 13th - 16 Figure 12 are sectional views of expanded and collapsed configurations of embodiments of the squirt toy of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the 1 until 5 is a toy 100 for spraying a stream of water 102 shown which one to swim on the water surface 104 is adapted.

The toy 100 comprises a rigid tubular housing 106 , which is a hollow cylindrical chamber 110 encloses. The front end 112 of the tubular housing is except for a small hole 114 closed. A piston 116 slides lengthways in the chamber 110 and is against the cylindrical inner surface 120 the chamber through an O-ring 122 sealed in a groove 125 of the piston is seated. The piston separates the chamber 110 in a front section 110A and a rear section 110B . The piston 116 is rigid with the shaft 124 at the front end 126 tied together. Sliding bushes 128 store the shaft 124 at the rear end 130 of the tubular housing 106 while allowing longitudinal movement relative to it. The handle section 132 is rigid with the shaft 124 at the rear end 134 connected of it. Extending the handle section 132 relative to the tubular housing 106 while moving the hole 114 below the surface of the water 104 located, as in 4th is shown causes water to be drawn into the expanding front chamber portion 110A through the hole 114 . A subsequent retraction of the handle section 132 relative to the tubular housing 106 causes this water to be expelled through the hole 114 in a powerful beam 102 .

The tubular shell 138 , which preferably consists of closed-cell polyethylene foam, surrounds the tubular housing 106 to provide both a soft protective surface and buoyancy. The polyethylene foam can be replaced by other materials, such as closed cell foam made from ethylene vinyl acetate.

the 8th and 9 show an alternate embodiment of the splash toy. The encapsulating shell 138 from 9 is a thin material, such as a polymer, that forms an annulus between an inner surface of the encapsulating shell 138 and the outer surface of the housing 106 Are defined. The encapsulating shell 138 prevents water from entering the annulus 152 and provides a boost when the toy is 100 Located in a pool or other body or water, even if the enclosure 106 is filled with liquid.

In a most preferred embodiment is the encapsulating shell 138 molded from a material and wall thickness to provide flexibility and "softness" to the encapsulating shell. Examples of such materials include polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE). Materials and wall thickness parameters similar to those of standard carbonated beverage bottles provide sufficient "softness" to form a safe splash toy, that is, the toy 100 with the encapsulating shell 138 the most preferred embodiment does not injure a person hit by the toy at typical speeds. The encapsulating shell 138 can be supported by a tray support at one or more points along its length 150 be worn. Alternatively, a much thinner wall thickness can be selected and the annular space can be put under slight pressure. Proper selection of pressure has the consequence that the encapsulating shell 138 maintains a chosen three-dimensional shape while remaining soft enough to provide safety benefits.

In another preferred embodiment of the squirt toy, the encapsulating shell 138 transparent, semi-transparent or be translucent. Such a preferred embodiment is in 8th and 9 shown.

The handle section 132 can have a handle shell 140 have, which preferably consists of the same foam and rigid with the shaft 124 by means of bearing bushes 144 and 146 connected is. Alternatively, other materials with suitable buoyancy, suitable softness and suitable water impermeability, such as polyurethane foam, can be used for both the tubular shell and the handle shell. The shells can also be blow molded or rotationally molded air-filled cylindrical bubbles or similar materials, such as through the encapsulating shell 132 in the 8th and 9 is shown. The handle shell 140 can also consist of a solid material as long as sufficient buoyancy is provided by the tubular shell.

A most preferred embodiment has the splash toy that simulates a “swimming noodle” as is well known in connection with recreational water activities. When the handle section is retracted, as in 2 shown can the shell 138 and the handle shell 140 form a cylinder with a round, elliptical, square, polygonal, oval or irregular cross-section. In a most preferred embodiment, have the shell 138 and the handle shell 140 have an identical outer shape and are formed from a closed-cell polymer foam, which creates a look and feel similar to that of a common "pool noodle". This simulated pool noodle can have any cross-sectional shape, such as round, polygonal, elliptical, oval, or any combination of shapes including generally polygonal with rounded sides.

6th Figure 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The toy 100 includes a housing 106 , the one chamber 110 includes the front end 112 a small hole in the housing 114 owns. The piston 116 slides in and is against the cylindrical inner surface 120 the chamber 110 sealed. A shaft holder 142 is with the shaft 124 at the rear end 134 connected of it. The shaft holder 142 further comprises a handle 132A . The handle 132A in a preferred embodiment is shaped so that it has a palm-surface 135 and a finger pad 136 ie, areas shaped to receive respective portions of a hand. A grab handle 132A allows actuation of the shaft 124 and piston 116 by the user as described above.

In a more preferred embodiment, either the housing 106 or the shell 138 a handle extending therefrom 132B on. The handle 132B can also be a palm-area 135 and a finger pad 136 exhibit. Grabbing both handles 132A and 132B and driving them apart while opening the hole 114 below the surface of the water 104 causes water to be drawn into the widening front chamber section 110A through the hole 114 . A subsequent rounding up of the handles 132A and 132B causes water to be expelled in the chamber section 110A through the hole 114 in a powerful beam 102 .

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handle portion of the splash toy 100 take an imaginative form. An example is shown schematically in 7th shown. Examples of the shape of the handle 148 include: an animal head; a head of a character of a cartoon; a head of a person.

Referring to the 10 - 16 has the injection toy in embodiments according to the invention 100 a bellows 160 on that extends from a portion of the handle portion 132 and / or the handle shell 140 to an area of the shell 138 extends. Furthermore, the bellows 160 from a front section 162 to a rear section 164 extending at least some of the shaft 124 , the socket 128 and / or the housing 106 is crossed and / or arranged over this.

The bellows 160 provides safety benefits such as preventing a child's fingers from being caught, pinched, or injured when the handle portion 132 to the bowl 138 is driven, for example, to cause water in the chamber 110 from the splash toy 100 is expelled.

In exemplary embodiments, the bellows 160 Store mechanical energy in the compressed state, for example similar to a spring. If compression force is no longer applied, the bellows can become loose 160 expand back, where it approximately regains its previous and / or initial rest position elastically and / or substantially elastically regains it. In exemplary embodiments, this stored mechanical energy can enable easier use of the squirt toy by a child and / or this stored mechanical energy can be used to create a flexible barrier that can, among other things, substantially prevent a child's fingers from becoming entangled and / or become trapped in the toy during use.

In exemplary embodiments, any number of bellows may be over at least some of the stem 124 , the socket 128 and / or the housing 106 be arranged. For example, a single bellows 160 over at least some of the shaft 124 , the socket 128 and / or the housing 106 be arranged. In another example, two or more bellows can be at one point over at least some of the stem 124 , the socket 128 and / or the housing 106 be coupled to one another and / or attached to one another. In yet another example, a first bellows (e.g., extending from an area of the handle 132 extends) to another element (e.g. body, shell, etc.) be coupled and / or fastened, and this element can in turn be attached to a second bellows (e.g. the one extending from the shell 138 extends) coupled and / or attached so that they are shared over at least some of the shaft 124 , the socket 128 and / or the housing 106 can be arranged. For simplicity, there is sometimes a single bellows over at least some of the stem 124 , the socket 128 and / or the housing 106 shown arranged. This is for convenience only and is in no way intended to be a limitation.

In exemplary embodiments, the front portion 132 on one area of the shell 138 coupled and / or attached, and the rear portion 164 can at a region of the handle section 132 and / or the handle shell 140 be coupled and / or attached. Furthermore, a coupling and / or fastening of the front section 162 on one area of the shell 138 and the rear section 164 at a region of the handle section 132 and / or the handle shell 140 may be achieved using reasonable techniques such as, but not limited to, glue, glue, epoxy, fusible screw means, screw, fastener, and any combination and / or further separation thereof, to name a few.

In exemplary embodiments, the bellows 160 be constructed of flexible materials that can enable a user, such as a child, to repeatedly and easily collapse and expand the bellows while maintaining its overall shape. In exemplary embodiments, the bellows 160 molded using plastic and / or polymers such as, but not limited to, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), rubber / rubber and / or any combination and / or another separation from it, to name a few. In exemplary embodiments, the bellows 160 consist of a combination of EVA and PP. For example, the bellows 160 consist of about 75% EVA and 25% PP. Using a further example, the bellows 160 consist of about 70% - 80% EVA with 30% - 20% PP, 60% - 90% EVA with 40 - 10% EVA and 50% EVA with 50% PP.

In exemplary embodiments, the bellows 160 opaque, transparent, translucent and / or semitransparent and / or can allow a user to determine the amount of fluid that is in the chamber 110 located to see. In exemplary embodiments, the bellows 160 be at least partially surrounded by an additional material layer, such as foam-like materials, as described here.

Referring to the 15th - 16 can, in exemplary embodiments, the handle portion 132 and / or the handle shell 140 a recording area 170 have capable of at least part of the chamber 110 to record. In exemplary embodiments, the entire compressed length of the squirt toy 100 by the amount raised to the chamber 110 in the recording area 170 of the handle section 132 and / or the handle shell 140 be reduced. Using this technique, the shipping size can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost and environmental impact associated with shipping splash toys 100 accompanied. Further, using this technique, the size of the shell space and / or storage that is required for the splash toy 100 required to be reduced.

It should be noted to the person skilled in the art that the preceding description comprises only one of many possible embodiments of the invention, and that the invention is therefore only intended to be limited in accordance with the following claims.

Claims (14)

A floating splash toy (100) comprising: a housing (106) having a chamber (110) and an opening (114), the opening (114) allowing fluid communication between the chamber (110) and the outside environment, the chamber (110 ) comprises an inner wall (120); a shaft (124) having a first portion inside the chamber attached to a piston (116) and a second portion outside the chamber (110) attached to a handle (132); wherein the piston (116) slidably engages the inner wall (120) of the chamber (110) and is adapted to move longitudinally in the chamber (110) to reduce and increase the volume of the chamber (110) so that at Immersion in water the water is sucked through the opening (114) as the volume increases, and through the Orifice (114) is expelled when the volume decreases; at least one outer shell (138, 140) on at least a portion of at least one of the housing (106) and the handle (132) that provides safety benefits in that it (i) is constructed from a resilient closed-cell polymer foam material that is substantially soft , and (ii) is constructed in such a way that the at least one outer shell (138, 140) contributes to a buoyancy which has the consequence that the floating splash toy (100) remains floating on top when the chamber (110) is completely filled with water is; and at least one bellows (160) extending between the housing (106) and the handle (132) and covering the shaft (124), the at least one bellows (160) thereby providing safety benefits by preventing fingers from getting caught a child may be caught, trapped, or injured when the chamber (110) is reduced in volume to expel water from the floating splash toy (100). Floating splash toy (100) according to Claim 1 wherein the at least one bellows (160) extends over at least a portion of both the housing (106) and the shaft (124). Floating splash toy (100) according to Claim 1 wherein the at least one outer shell (138, 140) is constructed from a plurality of substantially soft, resilient, closed-cell polymer outer shells along a length of at least one of the housing (106) and the handle (132). Floating splash toy (100) according to Claim 1 wherein the at least one substantially soft, resilient outer shell (138, 140) is constructed from closed-cell polymer foam in a cylindrical shape. Floating splash toy (100) according to Claim 1 wherein the at least one cylindrically shaped, substantially soft, resilient outer shell (138, 140) of closed cell polymer foam has a cross-sectional shape that is at least one of round, polygonal, elliptical, oval, or any combination of shapes, including generally polygonal with rounded sides . Floating splash toy (100) according to Claim 1 wherein the at least one essentially soft, resilient outer shell (138, 140) made of closed-cell polymer foam corresponds in at least one size and shape to at least one swimming noodle. Floating splash toy (100) according to Claim 1 wherein the at least one substantially soft, resilient outer shell (138, 140) is constructed from closed-cell polymer foam such that it has a length dimension that is substantially equal to at least one of a length of the housing (106) and a length of the handle (132 ) is. Floating splash toy (100) according to Claim 1 wherein the at least one substantially soft, resilient outer shell (138, 140) is constructed from closed-cell polymer foam such that it has a length dimension which is substantially smaller than at least one of a length of the housing (106) and a length of the handle ( 132) is. A floating splash toy (100) comprising: a housing (106) having a chamber (110), the housing (106) including an inner surface (120) and an outer surface, a first end including an opening (114) and a second end including an opening; a piston (116) slidably engaged with the inner surface (120) of the housing (106) and connected to a shaft (124), the shaft (124) extending from the second end of the housing (106) and a handle portion (132) outside the housing (106), the piston (116) being adapted to move longitudinally in the chamber (110) to reduce and increase the volume of the chamber (110) so that upon immersion in water the water is drawn in through the first end when the volume increases and expelled through the first end when the volume decreases; a soft, non-water absorbent shell (138) disposed over a portion of the exterior surface of the housing (106); and at least one bellows (160) extending between the housing (106) and the handle (132) and covering the shaft (124), the at least one bellows (160) thereby providing safety advantages in that it is essentially prevented from moving A child's fingers become entangled, trapped, or injured when the chamber (110) is reduced in volume to expel water from the floating splash toy (100). Floating splash toy (100) according to Claim 9 wherein the at least one bellows (160) is disposed over at least a portion of both the housing (106) and the shaft (124). Splash toys (100) according to Claim 9 wherein the soft, non-water absorbent shell (138, 140) further comprises: providing buoyancy to keep the toy (100) floating on top of the water when the housing (106) is filled with water to its maximum capacity; forming a protective surface over at least a portion of the housing (106); and wherein the softness of the shell (138, 140) provides safety benefits. Splash toys (100) according to Claim 9 wherein the soft, non-water absorbent shell (138, 140) is disposed over substantially the entirety of the housing (106). Splash toys after Claim 9 further comprising a soft, non-water absorbent shell (138, 140) disposed over a portion of the handle portion (132). Splash toys after Claim 9 wherein the safety benefits include at least one of softness and the absence of hard edges.

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